The Sun. — London, England, 1818-01-09 00:00:00

CER I IFICATED CONVEYANCERS. FOR THE SUN. LE'll'Elt X. Mn.Enrroa,—When I sent you my last letter, I did tint !Ii ink I should make any addition ()tithe stibicet of sui-disant Conveyancers : but hearing that they Ilave mistaken the spirit of my remon strance, candour calls on me for an explanation. I have said, it is not because a man is an .4t- torney that he is an able or an honest man ; and now say, it is not because a man coils himself a Conreyancer that be is un mouvais sujet, or an vvort by member of society. His endeavours to provide for his family mly be laudable ; but when he quits a calling to which be was brought up, and encroaches upon • a profession to which he is nut, he enforces a censure from those who are. Before the statute which imposes a tax on At tornies, this sort of Conveyancers were unknown. Those of the LAW were deep, and well trained in the science. Their clients were the Attornies ; but your Certificate-men of the present day offer themselves to the Public as Conveyancers, not the Attornies, whom they rival, and thence usurp their business ; which they could not do, if this statute had never passed, and which, inasmuch as by raising a tax, and introducing an evil, is greatly to be lamented. Were the Attornies, as sensible men, leaving alone their virtue or lute- Oty, to seek assistance from sad) draftimen,. they would soon discover their inability, and seek it no more. Not so with the Publicovho, instead of physic, may be drenched with their poison.— The Attornies are sworn to allegiance and su premacy in Church and State. They are On the Rolls of the Courts of Law but these Certificat ed men are no body. They are under no re straint ; they have taken no oaths ; nor have they been pupils to any preceptor in the Law ; and let their coin be never so base, or their charges never so enormous, the Public who suffer is often remediless. Law Conveyancers receive their fees as gifts, not charges, from the Attornies, and are above complaint. They circulate no hand-bills, nor bang nut hoards, with words thereon, " Walk in, walk lir, for I am the only true ductor."— Merii is their motto; and to that they solely trust, of which the Attornies are able to judge. They apply to no mushroom Conveyancer; neither do the Certificated-men throw themselves in their way. It is the Public they open their shops to ; and like salesmen of old clothes in Moninouth street, or Rag-fair in Rosemary-lane, they have their barkers to proclaim their goods. The Public are their looked-for prey, and the unwary who do not see their snare, but devouring their bait, become slaves to their unhallowed purposes. If they consulted the Attornies, their business, through their means, would be done with effect, aul the assistance of those who unquestionably deserve the name of Lawyers. Who else are acquainted with the nature • and operation of a fine, or a recovery, to destroy, or to en tail, or defeat a remainder ? Who else are learned in the doctrine of uses and trusts ; contingent and executory estates ; conditions or possibilities ? It is no crime in these ad vertising Conveyancers, that they know nothing of these things ; but it is to insinuate the con trary, and undertake, as bunglers, what they - "cannot execute as proficients. I have said through out that the business of scriveners is excluded from the exceptions against the jejune pretensions of upstarts in the science of common assurances. This may be within their reach, but knowing the . sweets that are extracted from distress, they rush forward to,relieve it, like mock doctors, who heal one wound to make another worse, and profit by • the want's 'of the confiding patient.. This, Sir, is the destructive consequence of i m posi:ig a tax on Attoruies anti Draftsmen under the Bar. This it is that requires a stop ; and the powerful rein of the Legislature to regulate and veslrain it as a disgrace to the Here I must declare, that I know none of these super-eminently learned, and worthy raw Conveyancers, but from their hand bills, which are now before me. I have neither assumed or asserted any thing but what they prove, which is the presumption of their authors ; who may nevertheless be upright men ; and no doubt they are so, for any thing known to the contrary, by AN OLD BARRISTER • DISTEMSSED SEAMEN. — Government have, with the greatest promptitude and humanity, lent three ships for the accommodation of poor seamen, ti nder the management of the acting Committee. One of these vessels is to be used as an asylum for able seamen ; another for ordinary seamen ; and tf►e third as an hospital ship for the sick.—A hun dred and sixty pour fellows, who had been exa mined by the Committee, and found deserving, were sent off yesterday from the King's Head in Ihel'oultly to a h►►use which has been prepared tilt'n their reception at Newington. In their way there. they stopped in a body before the Mansion 11 Onse, and the poor fellows resumed an old habit, s u tar as to ,give ,three cheers. INFERIOR COURTS OF LAW. . FOR THE SUN Ma..EDlTOß,—Having stated that your columns shall be open to any thing that will tend to support the credit or interests of the Profession, I beg leave to call the attention of your Readers to a subject which is certainly of great importance to the Public. I allude to the Petite Or Interior Courts of England, in, which exist abuses and evils universally aiul loudly complained Of. That Parties should be put to an expence of from 501. to 1001. in seeki-ng to recover a debt of 51. or 101. is a hardship upon the Public, and tends to cast an odiuM upon the profession ; but is it right that a man should be Compelled to ap pear in propria personna, and to have his feelings lacerated, at,a Tribunal, where ( ifhe happens to be defendant) he is nine times out of ten sure of being saddled wilt debt and costs, right or wrong? and for this plain reason, because the fees of the Judge ziniformly depend upon the number of causes tried, and therefore he must have an interest in holdnig forth inducements to plaintiffs to sue in his - Court. Attornies daily meet with persons who can with great difficulty make themselves understood, or lay out their case in such a clear manner that the Solicitor to whom they apply can advise them cor rectly, and what chance has a man of this de scription with a man who has the powers of utter ance, or is a more opulent man, and one, per hap, acquainted with the Judge ? Inferior Courts are created and governed by Local Acts, which, of course, not one attorney or tradesman in 1000 are acquainted with. Those Acts, in many instances, protect the parties living within the verge of the .respective Courts, from process issued out of the superior Courts ; for in stance, if a person in London contract any debt under 101. and go to reside in, or within some miles of Bath, the London creditor may issue a process out of either of the superior Courts, and - file declaration at an expence of from 71. to 101., when the debtor may plead the jurisdiction of the Bath Court, and thus throw the expence upon the unfortunate creditor, whose only remedy is to take a journey to Bath, in order to appear perso nally in Court and support his debt. .This incon venience is not applicable to the Bath Court alone, but almost every other Local Court. In most places the processes issued by Inferior Courts are not subject to any stamp duty, to the great injury of the Revenue. A remedy will be joyfully .and thankfully re ceived by the Public,. and I beg leave to propose one, leaving it to more able hands to improve upon it, or substitute a better. -The mode I propose is to repeal all the Local Acts for establishing Petite Courts in England and Wales for recovery of debts above 21., and in lien thereof pass one general Public Act for reco very of debts amounting to 21. ond under 101 , and in every 10 or 12 miles appoint a Barrister or Attorney as Steward or Judge, with a salary of from 1001. to 2001. per annum, and liberty to follow his profession in other Courts ; depend uj►on it thousands of men of talent and integrity would gladly accept the appointment. Let his appointmeni be made by the Judges, or his Ma jesty's Ministers, authorizing him to hold a Court once in every week. All processes should be issued from the Court of Exchequer, directed to the Steward or Judge of such Inferior Court, upon which a 'certain stamp should be impressed, and the Steward might haVe them in blank 50 or 100 at a time. The tees should be regulated, but so as not to exceed 20 shillings or 30 shillings in each cause. The Steward should be allowed 501. or 1001. for a clerk, and all - other trifling ex pellees, and be sworn to snake a just return of all fees, &c. once in every quarter of a year, or oftener, if required ; and any act of partiality to wards the parties, or dishonesty towards the Re venue, should be a high misdemeanour, and sub ject to severe punishment ;. this would, of course, materially assist the Revenue. Every man should be at liberty to employ an attorney to conduct or depend his cause, whose fee should be limited to ss. or 6s. Sd. An Act might easily be framed by selecting the valuable clauses in the Local Acts, and expunging all the useless I have hastily, thrown these hints. together solely with a view of serving the Public and sup porting the intereth of the plotession, without regard to elegance of style or language, having, no time to spare for the purpoie of correcting and e ' recopying, which you will believe when you are informed that I am in good practice and Bristol, Dec. 23, 1817._ AN ATTOItNEY. LIVERPOOL. FOR THE SUN. MR. EDITOR,-As it is evidently your object to admit miscellaneous matter into your loyal and amusing Paper, and to bring before the Public suggestions, not only for the moral and intellec tual improvement of Society, but also whatever may tend to their comfort and pleasure, I wislfi to be informed by some of your Lancashire Readers, why that, justly celebrated Town, LI VERPOOL, is so shockingly ill paved and lighted. It is. certainly the worst paved town in the King dom. I can assure you, twat on a recent visit there, I'could, not help abusing the Corporation, for inch a total disregard of their own credit, and the convenience of the Public.—ln every other respect, the Town cannot fail to impress its visi tors with a true hot ion of the Public Taste, Spi rit, and Liberality of its Inhabitants. A TRAVELLER. Castic and Falcon, January 7, 1818. The Paris Papers of Tuesday last, which were dHC this morning, have not come to hand. This morning we received Halifax •Papers to the 2d of December.. • (Front Me qua. Arcadian Recorder of Nov. 79) QUEBEC,. Nov. 21.—Arrived in this Cily 'on the 19th inst. COI..BOCCHETTE, Surveyor-General of Lower Canada, accompanied by Captain CAIRN ES, late of the 60th Regiment, and Mr. J. BoucnErrg, junior. We have only been able to learn respect- ing the progress of the New Boundary line, that the exploring Survey has been prolonged from the source of the St. Croix to the River Ristogouche, a distance of about 100 miles, in the course of which the parties of both Nations experienced difficulties and sufferings of the most arduous nature. The Americans employed in the Survey may be expected here in a few days by the same route, on their way to the State of Vermons, the British Party having returned to Saint Au4rews, New Brunswick, by the River St. John. - We wanted room yesterday for any comments which the SPEECH of THB PRESIDENT Of the UNITED STATES might have suggested, even' if there had been time sufficient for a clue reflection on it contents. It is a very important Document, not only as it affects the character, and indicates the ambitious views, of the American Government, but as it relates to this Country and its Depen dencies. Well, therefore, might we yesterday suggest to the British Cabinet, that it is entitled to, and we may add imperiously demands, the pro found consideration of our Rulers. The Ameri can Government, we know, are increasing their Navy at a time of profound Peace. Such a cir cumstance would have alarmed the Statesmen of former times-, and we trust that it will not be overlooked by the present Ministry. It .strongly marks ulterior designs on the part of the Ame ricans, which may lead to the total loss of our West India Islands. A danger is not the less to be regarded by sound Statesmen, anxious for the welfare of the country committed to their care, because it may be remote and contingeutal.— , -The purchase of Lands from the Indians, in order to extend the American territory, and of course favour the increase of its population, is another point entitled to the notice of our Rulers, but the prin ciple which the President lays down as a kind of national right, is one of the most daring instances of a contempt of justice that was ever manifested by the Government of• any country. The Presi dent insidiously says, after adverting to these purchases, and the advantage's likely to be derived 'from them : " In this progress which the rights of nature demand; and nothing can prevent, making a growth rapid and gigantic, it is' our duty to make new efforts for the preservation, improve ment, and civilization of the native Inhabitants. (Amiable Moralist.) The hunter State can exist only in the vast uncultivated desert. It yields, to the more dense and compact form, and greater force of civilized population.; and of right it ought to yield, for the Earth was given to mankind to support the greatest number of which it is capable, and no tribe or people have a right to withhold. from the wants of others more than is necessary for their own support and comfort." Here is a pretty specimen of national justice Might we not suppose that the Politicians who entertain such principles, and avow such doctrines, were, if the word is not offensive to Modern Patriots, the Legitimate Descend ants of Ma chuit4 and his gang. Upon this principle every man who possesses a.n estate has a right to rob his neighbour of land, provided it will improve his own possessions, and of that he is to'be the Judge. Mark, Reader-the Indians were the original possessors of the soil ; by arti' . flee, by force, and by' purchase, they have been driven to distant regions, and tow because the hunter State " can exist only in the vas t uncultivated desert" they are to be deprived °I that retreat !! ! Here is no talk of purchase- O °P it is what " the rights of nature demand, and no' thing can prevent"—ank, the " hunter State 0 1 right ought to yield." There is no artifice, no so phistry, in this open declaration of national ambi' Lion and thirst of power—no—" the greater force of civilized population" must not be prevented from despoiling the poor Indians, in due time, of all the ir means of subsistence, till the whole of the ra ce is exhausted, and they are starved into-antail' lion. Amiable, wise, equitable, philanthrop ic . al Republic ! ! That artful Legislators might fo r such designs would not be surprizing, but it w as reserved for this age of JacObinicat audic it i openly to avow them. 'But we reserve a. fur' ther consideration of this curious Document t ill we have an opportunity of animadverting 0 1 3(1f1 those points which more immediately relate t° British interests ; and in the mean time we 11141 venture to say, that the Speech altogether i 5 bold exposition of the views of the American G°' vernment on the whole of its immense Continent' of which they seem, to contemplate the en tire possession. So far is it from being a Speech ° f Peace and Good-will, it breathes sentiments of ga opposite nature, and may be fairly construed this light, since it is uttered amidst•active preps' rations for war. • The Friends of Homanity and Good Order will read with no ordinary degree of pleasure the ac count which they will find in our Fourth Paf: 64 of a Meeting which was held yesterday at th e Crown and Anchor T , vern, the laudable purpos e " of which was, to open a Subscription for the Co' tire extinction, if possible, but at all wilts to le s ' sett, the evil of Mendicity in this great Metropoli s ' It is gratifying to os to add, that ;be Meeli l/6 was suffered to proceed on principles of pure bd manity, and was wholly undisturbed by seditioos declamation, visionary Reformers, and flagitious Revolutionists. , A Flanders Mail arrived last night, from 1 0 c it appears that the Duke of Kevrr presided 1913 Thursday at a meeting of Englishmen respecting the English Chapel. The report of the depariag of the Austrian troops from France is also P os. ' tively contradicted. TO CORRESPONDENTS. The Colonies. On Education, No. I. To-morrow. Also, the Continuation of the Review of SUAKSPk:ARE and his Times;—and Pies ICC LES lAST. *** For THE COUNTRY, see the Fourth Page. THEATRICAL REGISTER. Performed Last Night. THEATRE ROYAL, PRURT-LANE.—A New Way To Pay Old Debts : Sir Giles Overreach, Mr. Kean ; Lady Allworth, Mrs. Kniot. After which, Harlequin's Vision. EAT' ROYAL, COVE:N.I'4;A RDEN.—Artaxerxvs : Arhaces, Mr. Brabant ; Mandane, Miss Stephens. After which, Hus bands and Wives. Tu which seas added, Harlequin Gut-. liver. MAILS. ARRIVED-1 Lisbon, I Flanders, 1 Dublin. DtrE-1. Ham burgh, 3 Gottetiburgb, I Holland, 1 Guernsey and Jersey, 1 Waterford. PRICE 0 F STOCKS wr.Lvt: wchocK. THIN DAY AT T Baak Stoek 29U 3 tier Cent. Red.-- .81iii 3 perCent.Cons... 81 Ai SO I . 81 4 per Cents . 19 9i3 5 per Cent. Navy Ann. 1061/1 Bank L. Ann. 2Ol India Bonds.:.. 105 s. 109. s pr. Exch. 8i115...... I9s. 27s pr. Cons. fur HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE TOMORROW. Morning, 44 minutes after 4. Evening, 9 minutes after 5. THE SUN. SOLEM QUli DICERE FALSUM AUDEAT ? LONDON, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 1818. SHIP NEWS. PORTSMOUTH, J AN . B.—Arrived the Abe transport f rom " the Cape of Good Hope, tar Woolwich, with ordnance stores ; left the Coe the 28th October, St. Helena the 18th,Noventb el4 Ascen3ion the 24th November ; on the 13th Dew cember spoke. the Hercules and F ann y, brig s ; from Glasgow for St. Vincent's ; got a surplY °f provisions from the latter. Ott the 4th Januall' fell in with the Zelia schooner, Captain LA' from the river Plate, bound to Liverpool ; 1 0 ° her in tow, and put provisions on board, I" . baying lost her masts, leaky, and only three day s provisions ; parted with her yesterday o ff the Manacles, for Falmouth—the brig John, fl Prince Edward's Island, in company, who l'sl one man killed by an- accident—otberwise well. 1, FALMOUTII, JAN. 6.—Arrived the Duwe of Marlborough packet, EASTMAN, with mails fr ° Lisbon, in 16 days. DEAL, JAN. B.—Arrived, and remains in t he Downs, wind-bound, the Hiperion, Hoax, 1 0111 .BombaY.—The outward-bound remain all well. TEIGNM.OUTH, JAN. 7.—Arrived the Dove, an a Unity, MUDGE, from Figurara in 12 days ; an account of the loss of the brig Ben and san, DREW, Master, belonging to this poet, nea r Vianna ; all the crew lost—long-boat, and a bou t 20 casks of oil, part of the cargo, saved—from S l ' John's, Newfoundland. - - CORN-EXCHANGE, JAN. B'—We have had pi , few freshlirrivals since Monday, and buyers 8P; pear to be waiting for supplies. Fine Wheat an ti Oats sold at Monday's 'prices, but ordinary Wer e very dull : the same remark applies to Barley. J ul Pease and' Beans there is no alteration. Prince LEOPOLD, before his departure for Came. , visited the QUEEN and PRINCESSES, at Windsor , and the Duchess of YoaK, at Oatlands. Os Serene Highness hai been so afflicted with rbeil" niatism in the face, that he has been our very little lately except in a close carriage. Daring hi s abode at came; it is expected that he will occasion: ally visit IVeymouth, a place mournfully endeare is to him as having been the residence of his be' loved Princess.—Monday one of the .carriages , containing servants of Prince LEOPOLD, was over' turned on the road to Came. The servants in the inside escaped without injury, butthe coachma n was so badly hurt, that great fears are felt as t° his recovery. - LAT E Th e 10 4t1 in inlPeriec ltv ere, 1 1,10%1 81 4041 TI, bti " her nSa lat Act in Y `Sr, 1 ~'S'tatii *l Det ttcurrt 11,1 ritt r , the am ►Uch hoot ti 14 `r d tretitt, Ito, Ittli e (if b t i 'l , uti Nov fo r wa, th e vts 44 t„ tn st,,tra Pai~ie~ ~"e1~c tu Q;, ,i t 44 Y a v -4cl l 'r 4 st . fi r© er iih 111, 11 eve *Li t: tier ( • Of lost tad !tit it till, RC ~ IC;